2019 Sequoia Grove Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy day of yard work, but alas I am all finished and ready for a nice dinner and glass of wine!  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of the most recent Wines Till Sold Out mystery bottle event, which is always a fun surprise.  This time it was the 2019 Sequoia Grove Stagecoach Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) from three separate blocks in the Vineyard, along with Merlot (14%) and Petit Verdot (8%) all from the Stagecoach Vineyard in the Atlas Peak AVA of Napa Valley.  Let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine has the classic look of a big Napa Cabernet, with brooding darkness lined with bright ruby.  The nose is nestled with oak intermingled with sage, leather and graphite, underscoring the subtle black fruit that tries to peak through.  The first sip is a rush of ripe fruit, blueberry, blackberry and plum that dance around a balanced acidity with some black pepper spice.  The tannins are well structured for a velvety mouthfeel and a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers until you reach for your next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a wonderfully classic big Napa Cabernet at a price that didn't break the bank.  This wine would pair well with much outdoor cooking this summer, from barbecued ribs to beef kabobs, cedar planked salmon to big grilled steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a prime tomahawk ribeye grilled rare and garnished with the first garlic scapes of the season, along with steamed parsley potatoes and maple bacon Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Château Palais Cardinal Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

Happy Sunday!  I finally had at least a few hours to relax this afternoon, but then laundry, rehearsals and other chores broke into my day.  At least now I am ready for a nice glass of wine and a good Sunday dinner!  Tonight I've opened a nice Bordeaux, the 2018 Château Palais Cardinal Saint-Émilion Grand Cru that I bought from Wines Till Sold Out.  This wine is a blend of Merlot (73%), Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) and Cabernet Franc (4%), so let's see how it's tasting.

The wine is a bright ruby color in the glass with great clarity, just as you'd expect from this Bordeaux appellation.  The nose presents aromas of black cherry, sage and undertones of lavender and oak.  The taste is a subdued affair, with some calming red berry fruit of raspberry and currant up front that transition easily to some notes of baking spice and tart cherry midpalate.  The tannins are well suited for this classic Bordeaux, providing for a finish that's so dry you hardly notice it before reaching for another sip.

I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant drinking classic Bordeaux at a terrific price of just $23.  This wine would pair well with classic hearty dishes, from steaks and chops to braised lamb shank or moules frites.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a lovely wild mushroom risotto topped with some fresh pea tendrils.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine

Happy Friday!  I'm enjoying a long weekend, so a perfect time for finishing some yard work and enjoying a nice dinner and bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that's been in my cellar for about a year, the 2020 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, one of the most established vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine is tasting like!

The wine is a deep brooding indigo with bright ruby along the edges, as you'd expect from a classic Bordeaux style blend.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, black cherry and hints of sage.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and plum that ease into some notes of olive, white pepper and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are thick and chewy, providing for a wonderfully long, dry finish that seems to linger a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a delightful wine, though the fruit can seem a bit heavy at the outset.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from pasta and casseroles, to chili and stews.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, grilled leeks, parsley buttered potatoes, asparagus and hollandaise.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Franc

Happy Saturday!  I have been trying to relax today after two busy days of volunteer work as well as some near disasters with my plumbing and A/C on Wednesday, it's been a challenging week to say the least.  And that my friends is why the Lord gave us wine to cheer our hearts.  Tonight I've opened up a wine club exclusive bottle from Seven Hills, one of my all time favorite wineries in the Walla Walla Valley.  The 2021 Seven Hills Walla Walla Cabernet Franc is a 100% Cabernet Franc sourced entirely from the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a lovely deep ruby color in the glass with excellent clarity.  A gentle swirl of the glass releases aromas of black cherry, vanilla bean and toffee with undertones of peppercorn and a hint of sage.  As the first sip washes over your palate, a rush of ripe cherry, black raspberry and plum tickle your senses, before evolving into some earthy notes of graphite and black pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are soft but well integrated, providing for a luxurious, smooth dry finish that seems to linger until you next sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's an excellent example of pure bottling of what is historically a blending varietal, providing room for the grape to shine and highlight some of the wonderful characteristics of Walla Walla fruit.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, from steaks and chops to pasta Bolognese, barbecued ribs to spicy chicken fajitas.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, with grilled hatch chiles and poblano peppers, and oven roasted rainbow carrots.  Cheers!

2020 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there!  And to help you celebrate your mom, I've opened the latest vintage of one of my favorite Cabernet Sauvignons that just came in a wine club shipment last week.  The 2020 Pepper Bridge Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), Petit Verdot (6%) and Cabernet Franc (6%) sourced from the Seven Hills, Octave, Tom Waliser and Pepper Bridge Vineyards in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a beautiful bright and brooding ruby color in the glass, classic for the varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of black plum, blackberry and cherry intermingled with hints of lavender and sage.  Take a sip and your palate is awash in tart cherry that eases into blackberry and plum, before transitioning to some notes of dark chocolate and some earthy minerality.  The tannins are wonderfully structured yet youthful, providing for an beefy dry finish that lingers for a minute or more. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it lives up to prior vintages which have been a perennial favorite.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, wild mushroom risotto or hearty pasta.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a classic Sunday dinner of rare, pan seared filet mignon topped with Béarnaise and served with oven roasted carrots.  Cheers!

2018 Saint Veeder Mount Veeder Crouse Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Thursday!  It's been a busy week, but at last I have a night free tonight so I can enjoy a nice dinner and a good glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I purchases not too long ago from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2018 Saint Veeder Mount Veeder Crouse Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the 7th vintage produced by St. Veeder, sourcing the fruit from 30-year-old vines in the Mount Veeder appellation of Napa Valley.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from a big Napa Cabernet.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, bold black fruit notes of blackberry, currant and plum, with undertones of anise and cassis.  Take a sip and you plunge into the depths of big, bold Napa Valley Cabernet, with a rush of ripe black fruit at the front, blackberry, currant and cherry that transition easily to some notes of toasted oak and vanilla bean midpalate.  The tannins are subdued, but well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish, with a hint of sage at the very end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a classic big bold Cabernet that would pair well with big steaks, hearty pastas, earthy mushroom risotto or braised short ribs.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled bone-in ribeye, grilled leeks and oven roasted white asparagus.  Cheers!

2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee

Happy Sunday!  This weekend was one of those that despite my best intentions, ended up being a working weekend.  But, at least I get to enjoy a nice glass of wine before work starts up again tomorrow!  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's apparently been sitting in my cellar for a while, as I stumbled across it but realized I've never posted about it before.  The 2012 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (21%), Cabernet Franc (14%), Malbec (5%) and Petit Verdot (5%) from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine has matured!

The wine is an inky color as you might expect from the heavy hand of Cabernet and Merlot, but it displays bright ruby along the edges.  A swirl and a quick whiff reveals a decidedly old world sort of nose, with notes of oak, sage and a bit of white pepper intermingled with soft black fruit notes.  Take a sip and you're treated to a rush of blackberry, blueberry and cherry that wash over your palate, before transitioning to some earthy notes of dusty limestone and a hint of violet midpalate.  The tannins are still vibrant and expertly integrated for a long, velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's been a while since I've opened a bottle of Perigee, and it certainly lived up to my memories.  This wine would be perfect for just sipping on the porch on a spring evening (which I may do very soon), or paired with big steaks, lamb, seared tuna or a hearty risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my classic Sunday dinner of a big grilled porterhouse, along with some asparagus with hollandaise and a big baked potato with all the trimmings.  Cheers!

2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Tempranillo

Happy Friday!  It's been a busy week and I could use a nice glass of wine.  Thankfully, the UPS man was good to me today and delivered my wine lot from the Reveal Walla Walla wine auction last fall!  So that means we all get a treat tonight as I get to preview this wine before its formally released (this fall?).  The 2018 DaMa Wines Walla Walla Tempranillo is exciting for me for a number of reasons, first because I am a big fan of the wines that Founder and Winemaker, Mary Derby produces every year.  Second, because this wine is the first 100% Tempranillo that Mary has produced from Les Collines Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  For those unfamiliar, Les Collines Vineyard consists of about 290 acres situated in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, right on the Oregon border.  So, let's get to the fun part, the wine!

The wine is a beautiful, deep ruby color in the glass, with lovely clarity just as you might expect from the varietal.  A brief swirl in the glass releases aromas of earthy peat, smoke and sage intertwined with faint notes of blackberry and cherry suggesting deeper levels of complexity.  A sip reveals a rush of strawberry, cherry and red currant, which subside to reveal wonderfully earthy notes of graphite and dusty limestone midpalate.  The gripping tannins are a force to be reckoned with in this young wine, but they provide an ideal foundation for the long, smooth dry finish that will have you reaching for another sip.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's one of the nicest Tempranillos I've had in a while, and certainly one of the best I've had from Washington.  This wine would pair exceedingly well with hearty dishes, from a charcuterie board to a wild mushroom risotto, a prime rib roast to oven roasted lamb.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip along with some wild mushroom farro and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2017 Forgeron Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvigon

Happy Sunday!  It's been raining much of the afternoon, so I had the chance to get some work done for an early start on the coming week and somehow that doesn't seem as impressive now that I see it in print.  In any case, it's time for a nice Sunday dinner and a glass of wine, and tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2017 Forgeron Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a 100% Cabernet from the Seven Hills and Minnick Hills Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine displays a bit of inky color at the center, with tons of deep ruby color, just as you'd expect from the varietal.  A swirl in the glass and a quick whiff reveals aromas of leather, sage and dark red fruit, intermingled with earthy graphite.  Take a sip and you're greeted by vibrant strawberry and raspberry flavors right up front, before transitioning to some notes of smoke and oak, with light mineral notes midpalate.  The tannins are tight and grippy, providing for a wonderfully long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very pleasant drinking example of the varietal.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from hearty pasta to steak, pizza to barbecue.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with my Sunday dinner of a rare grilled Angus New York strip with some blistered cherry tomatoes, cheesy potato casserole and bacon roasted Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2018 Forgeron Barbera

Happy Sunday!  It's been a busy weekend and now I'm finally getting around to relaxing before it all starts again tomorrow.  So, tonight I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars.  The 2018 Forgeron Barbera is a 100% Barbera from the Sagemoore Vinyard in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a wonderful deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  A quick swirl and a whiff of generous red fruit greets you, with aromas of strawberry, cherry and currant intermingles with earthy notes of leather and sage.  One sip reveals a delightful balance of ripe red fruit, intermingled with vanilla bean, that gives way to some nice acidity and a bit of pomegranate midpalate.  The tannins are firm, but well integrated for a delightfully long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a nice example of the varietal with a nice view into the terroir of Sagemoor.  This wine would pair well with a variety of pastas, barbecue or even a nice spicy chili, but tonight I'm going a bit off the beaten path.  I'm enjoying this wine with an Asian sesame grilled pork tenderloin with some steamed rice and sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2018 Valdemar Estates Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  So a few weeks ago, the Reveal Walla Walla Charity Auction was held.  I was last at this great event back in 2018 (you can see my post on the auction here) and although it was a lot of fun, I was not a winner.  This year the event was held virtually and the folks did a terrific job of organizing and running the auction, but without the chance to browse the event and meet the wine makers and sample the wines it wasn't quite the same.  I'll give the organizers credit though, as they were willing to send some samples out, depending on the winery, and I was fortunate enough to receive two samples of the 6 lots I bid on, and tonight I'm going to review the 2018 Valdemar Estates Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stone Valley Vineyard in the Rocks District AVA of the Walla Walla Valley.  I was interested in this wine as Marie-Eve Gilla, formerly of Forgeron Cellars, is now the winemaker at Valdemar.  So let's see how this young wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep, inky color at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as a classic Cabernet should look.  The nose is am old-world style layered affair, with some hints of violet and black plum intermingled with some mineral notes graphite and undertones of sage and mint.  The taste is a rush of black fruit, with some cherry, blackberry and fig, that transitions nicely to some cocoa powder midpalate.  The tannins are expertly structured, making for a very Bordeaux-esque exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a pleasant Cabernet that is a real example of the best of the old world and the new.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, from steaks and roasts, to earthy mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with some zhatar seasoned lamb loin chops served with bucatini tossed in a mint and basil pesto with peas.  Cheers!

2009 Helix Columbia Valley Syrah

 So this has been one of my classic days without even a smidge of organization whatsoever!  I thought I was doing well, taking advantage of the one non-rainy day this weekend to get my yard work done, and I thought I was doing well as I was putting the leaf blower away at 6:45, when my phone alarm went off, telling me I have theater tickets and the performance starts in 45 minutes!  So, instead of dinner and wine, I raced to the theater to enjoy a marvelous performance of Silent Sky and now I'm back for dinner and wine!  Sure, it's 10 pm, but there are still two hours left of Cellar Saturday, that first Saturday of the month where I open a bottle at least a decade in the making, and tonight it's a good one, the 2009 Helix Columbia Valley Syrah!  So let's see how this wine is shaping up.

The wine is a beautiful, deep ruby color in the glass, just as you might expect from a nice Syrah.  The nose is a cavalcade of lovely fruit aromas that seems to scream autumn, blackberry, currant, cherry with undertones of earthy tar, pepper and sage.  The taste is a rush of ripe, jammy blackberry, plum and mulberry, that transitions easily to some notes of dusty limestone and peat midpalate, with a reprise of vanilla bean.  The tannins are smooth and well integrated, providing for a wonderfully smooth dry finish that lingers on the palate for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it is likely at its peak, but still providing a food friendly approach that is full of fall flavors.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dished from lamb, to eggplant Parmesan to a wonderful slow cooked chili with cornbread.  Tonight I am enjoying this with a wild autumn meal of rare grilled elk strip steak, with a Blue Smoke Game Changer rub that is spiced with clove and juniper, along with some oven roasted fingerling sweet potatoes and grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2012 Doubleback Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Well this weekend just flew by!  The weather was near perfect for early spring, so I had a chance to do a little yard work and a few projects around the hours and now it's time to wind down before starting the work week tomorrow.  And tonight I've decided to go big as we near the end of Walla Walla Valley Wine Month, and open up a bottle of 2012 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine has really become a favorite for the more old-world style of Washington Cabernet, produced by Drew  and Maura Bledsoe and their chief winemaker Josh McDaniels, which I had the chance to taste on a trip to Walla Walla back in 2015 (see Tasting at Doubleback) before they moved their tasting room out to their new and fancier digs.  So let's see how this stellar vintage has evolved over the five years since I first tasted it.

The wine is a brooding, inky black affair at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, suggestive of a bigger wine.  The nose is classically old world, with aromas of blackberry, prune, leather, lavender and just a hint of Bordeaux-style funk.  The taste is just magical, with a rush of ripe black fruit dancing with hints of floral, before transitioning to some notes of dark chocolate and sage midpalate.  The tannins are velvety smooth, supporting a long and luxurious dry finish with a reprise of sweet cherry at the back end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's probably one of the finest examples of this stellar vintage of Walla Walla Cabernet that I could imagine.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty dishes, but let's be serious, this wine screams to be sipped with a big steak!  And as luck would have it, I have one available!  Tonight I'm enjoying this wine with a prime New York strip grilled rare, along with grilled asparagus and cipollini onions (man those are a pain to peel!) and a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2017 L'Ecole No. 41 Estate Ferguson

Happy Sunday!  It was a surprisingly productive day thanks to the weather forecasters doing their usual job of being wrong.  It was supposed to rain today, but instead it's been sunny and in the mid-50s all day, so I had a chance to clear up some branches and do my first lawn mowing of the year.  It's been six months since I last started the mower, so needless to say it took a bit of coaxing to get her started but once she got moving she ran like a champ!  I also did a little work and laundry, so now I feel like I deserve a nice glass of wine.  Tonight's wine is the latest wine club shipment from L'Ecole No. 41, the 2017 Estate Ferguson.  I've been a fan of this wine since I had the good fortune to visit the vineyard nearly seven years ago (see Tour of the Seven Hills and Ferguson Vineyards), and it's been a favorite wine ever since.  The 2017 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (28%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Malbec (5%) from the aforementioned vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley.  So let's see how the new vintage stacks up!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from such a Cabernet heavy blend.  The nose is classic Ferguson, with leather, green grass, black cherry and a hint of mint over perfect mineral undertones.  The taste is delightfully fruit forward with a rush of tart cherry, black currant and plum that transitions to subtle notes of sage, vanilla bean and basalt midpalate.  The tannins are a bit tight, which can be expected in such a young wine, but they provide nice support for the long and exceedingly dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a continued solid effort from L'Ecole and this vineyard.  This wine would pair nicely with a big grilled ribeye, hearty pasta or barbecue, but tonight I'm going a different route as usual.  I went to the market yesterday to pick up some produce and I happened to notice they had leftover Smithfield smoked hams on sale for just 89 cents a pound, so how could I resist making an Easter ham a week late?  So tonight this great wine is being enjoyed with a rich, smoky ham, along with some corn bread, a baked potato and some cherry wood smoked bacon roasted asparagus.  Cheers!

2016 Forgeron Malbec

Happy Sunday!  I am happy to report that I got a lot accomplished today, including my laundry and going to see the new Star Wars movie, it was not that great, but I suppose given what they had to work with it was as good as could be expected.  In any case, tonight I've decided to open a bottle from a recent wine club shipment from Forgeron Cellars, the 2016 Malbec.  This wine is a 100% Malbec from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a Malbec.  The nose exudes aromas of leather, graphite, anise and smoke, that is often present from wines produced in the Wahluke Slope.  The taste is a rush of ripe berries and plum that transitions easily to some earthy notes of sage and dried herbs before some white pepper spices comes out at the finish.  The tannins are dusty but well integrated, creating the foundation for the wonderfully velvety smooth, dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's right up there with the 2014 Vintage as a favorite Malbec.  This wine sould paird well with a variety of dishes, from classic steaks to barbecue to pizza, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with a simple bucatini Bolognese for a nice, hearty Sunday dinner that pairs so well with this wine.  Cheers!

2017 DaMa Winery Tempranillo

Happy Sunday!  I had the best of intentions today, with plans to get some work done, go to the gym, and...well at least I started making dinner!  Tonight I've decided to pair my upcoming feast with a recent wine club selection from DaMa wines, the 2017 Tempranillo, a 100% Tempranillo from the Alder Ridge Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  I think the producers in the Columbia Valley are doing some wonderful things with some Spanish varietals like Tempranillo, so I'm excited to see how this one tastes. 

The wine is a bright ruby in the glass, somewhat darker at the center than I might have expected.  The nose is a lovely old world breath of fresh air loaded with ripe berry fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant, intermingled with notes of tobacco and dried sage and a hint of leather over the top.  The taste is a refreshing rush of rip fruit up front, cherries, blackberries and strawberries that evoke a bit of sweetness before transitioning on to more rustic notes of green cedar and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are sturdy, providing for a robust yet velvety smooth dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely example of an old world varietal taking root in the new.  This wine would be ideal for a broad range of dishes, from paella to taco Tuesday, from pizza to steaks.  But tonight, after the snowstorm earlier in the week, I needed a reprise of summer, with some barbecued beef back ribs, red skin potato salad, cole slaw and corn muffins.  Cheers!

2017 Pepper Bridge Winery Seven Hills Vineyard Blend

Happy Monday!  Yeah, I feel the same way, I rarely get excited by Mondays unless they are coming to an end, which this one is!  And to cap it off I've decided to open up a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from the Pepper Bridge Winery in Walla Walla, the 2017 Seven Hills Blend!  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Cabernet Franc (19%), Merlot (11%), Malbec (11%) and Petit Verdot (4%) all sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington. So let's see how this vintage is shaping up!

The wine is a vibrant garnet color in the glass, somewhat lighter than a full Cabernet.  As you raise your glass, you're greeted by an array of earthy aromas, sage, tobacco and dusty limestone underlying aromas of cassis, raspberry and a hint of dark chocolate.  The first taste is a rush of raspberry, currant and cranberry that transition almost unnoticed to notes of dark chocolate and a hint of white pepper spice midpalate.  The bright acidity and balanced tannins make for a lovely combination on the long, and wonderfully dry finish that lingers on the tongue.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it seems to be a bit of a step up from the 2016 vintage (see here).  This is a classic Bordeaux style blend that would pair well with a variety of hearty fall dishes, from shepherd's pie to lamb chops to alder planked salmon.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a grass fed New York strip grilled rare with some grilled romanesco and steamed red potatoes with butter and parsley.  Cheers!

2016 Seven Hills Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  The last of Washington Wine Month, so tonight I've decided to open a bottle from one of my favorite Walla Walla producers.  Of course it helped that I happened to stumble upon this wine this afternoon as I was looking for something to have with dinner, the 2016 Seven Hills Klipsun Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Klipsun Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA.  So let's see how this one is shaping up after being opened for an hour or so.

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright garnet around the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  The nose is chock full of ripe black fruit, blackberry, cherry and currant over earthy elements of leather and dusty granite.  The taste is a rush of jammy black fruit that washes over your palate as notes of blackberry and cherry dance with dried fig before pressing on to some notes of cocoa and sage.  The tannins are robust and prime for a velvety mouthfeel cascading to the smooth and exceptionally dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a terrific Cabernet and a fine illustration of the Red Mountain terroir.  This wine would pair very nicely with steaks, smoked beef brisket or summer barbecue, but tonight I'm going in a completely different direction for a weeknight dinner.  I am enjoying this wine with some bucatini with andouille sausage prima vera.  Cheers!

2012 Orin Swift Abstract

Happy Saturday!  I spent much of my day at a Board meeting in Chicago, so of course that meant a quick stop at Eataly before heading home (more on that later on in this post!) and now I'm ready for a nice glass of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I found in the cellar recently, I remember buying it but don't remember drinking it, hence I've opened it tonight, the 2012 Orin Swift Abstract.  This wine is a Rhone style blend of primarily Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah from Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties in California.  I find that Orin Swift produces some interesting blends, so let's see what this one has to offer.

The wine is a deep inky color at the center with bright ruby along the edges that reminds me more of a Cabernet than a Grenache heavy blend, no doubt a nod to the Petite Sirah in the blend.  The nose is chock full of blackberry, plum and some wonderful dried sage.  The taste is a rush of black cherry, plum and kirsch that transitions nicely to some notes of black tea and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are soft but well structured, providing for a lingering and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely blend that would resonate with anyone that appreciates the art of getting varietals to play well together.  It was also a very good value at just $30.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, barbecue or pasta, but tonight I've gone down south and am pairing this with a pan-seared, cajun spiced veal loin chop, some red beans and rice and steamed asparagus.  The wine is just a great combination with the spice and wonderful earthy flavor of the veal.  Cheers!

2014 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Friday!  The first Friday of the new year in fact!  Tonight I just returned from thy gym, so I'm ready for some relaxation, perhaps a glass of wine might be ideal!  Well tonight I have a good one, a bottle from my Fall wine club shipment from DaMa wines, the 2014 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Golden Ridge Vineyard in the Walla Walla AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine will start my weekend!

The wine has the classic Cabernet look, with deep garnet and ruby colors.  The nose is a lovely combination of leather and sage over hints of mint and black tea, somewhat of a deviation from your traditional big, bold Cabernet.  The taste is a remarkable shift, with some lovely floral notes up front that transition to some wonderful black fruit notes of blackberry and plum, before hitting its stride with some earthy black olive notes midpalate.  The tannins are nicely structured, providing for a velvety smooth and very dry finish that seems to last a minute or more. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very interesting and pleasant Cabernet that just sings of the terroir of Walla Walla.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, salmon, or a hearty pasta dish.  Tonight I'm enjoying this one with a rare grilled prime sirloin, steamed broccoli and a big baked potato with butter, sour cream and scallions.  Of course, once dinner is over, I'll still be sipping this wine for the rest of the evening, it's such a treat.  Cheers!